Blueberry plant named ‘ZF05-196’

ABSTRACT

The new blueberry plant variety ‘ZF05-196’ is provided. ‘ZF05-196’ is a nursery variety intended for the landscape and home garden markets. The variety produces high yields of medium sized fruit with nice flavor and firmness. ‘ZF05-196’ is a mid-season variety. The variety is very vigorous with an upright stature and attractive, long fruit clusters.

Latin name of the family, genus, and species: Family—Ericaceae.Genus—Vaccinium. Species— corymbosum hybrid.

Variety denomination: The new blueberry plant claimed is of the varietydenominated ‘ZF05-196.’

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the discovery of a new and distinctcultivar of northern highbush blueberry known as a Vaccinium corymbosumhybrid referred to as ‘ZF05-196’, as herein described and illustrated.

The new blueberry plant variety ‘ZF05-196’ was selected in Lowell, Oreg.in 2005. ‘ZF05-196’ is a nursery variety intended for the landscape andhome garden markets. The variety produces high yields of medium sizedfruit with nice flavor and firmness. ‘ZF05-196’ is is a mid-seasonvariety, ripening after Draper (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,103) and beforeLiberty (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,146). The variety is very vigorous withan upright stature and attractive, long fruit clusters.

Pedigree and History: The new blueberry plant originated from a cross of‘Duke’ (female parent, unpatented) by ‘Legacy’ (pollen parent,unpatented). The new blueberry plant variety ‘ZF05-196’ has been plantedin replicated trials since 2007.

The new variety can be compared to female parent ‘Duke’ in that‘ZF05-196’ is more upright, has longer fruit clusters, a higher yieldand ripens about 2 to 3 weeks later.

The new variety can be compared to commercial variety ‘Liberty’ in that‘ZF05-196’ has a higher yield, larger berries and ripens about one weekearlier.

The new blueberry plant variety ‘ZF05-196’ has maintained itsdistinguishing characteristics throughout successive asexualpropagations. The variety has been repeatedly asexually reproducedthrough softwood cuttings in Lowell, Oreg., and the clones arephenotypically identical to the original plant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new blueberry plant variety ‘ZF05-196’ has not been observed underall possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhatwith variations in environment and cultural practices such astemperature and light intensity without, however, any variance ingenotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed in Lowell, Oreg., andare determined to be the unique characteristics of the new blueberryplant variety ‘ZF05-196’:

-   -   1. Vigorous plant with upright stature.    -   2. Long, loose fruit clusters.    -   3. High yields.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic illustration shows typical specimens infull color of the foliage and fruit of the new variety ‘ZF05-196’. Thecolors are a nearly true as is reasonably possible in a colorrepresentation of this type.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the new variety ‘ZF05-196’.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of the fruit of the new variety ‘ZF05-196’.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of the flowers of the new variety ‘ZF05-196’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘ZF05-196’. The data which defines thesecharacteristics was collected from asexual reproductions of the originalselection. Dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics areapproximations and averages set forth as accurately as possible. Theplant history was taken on plants approximately three years of age, andthe descriptions relate to plants grown in the field in Lowell, Oreg.Color designations are from “The Pantone Book of Color” (by LeatriceEiseman and Lawrence Herbert, Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, NewYork, 1990). Where the Pantone color designations differ from the colorsin the photographs, the Pantone colors are accurate.

-   Classification:    -   -   a. Family.—Ericaceae.        -   b. Genus.—Vaccinium.        -   c. Species.—corymbosum hybrid.        -   d. Common name.—Northern Highbush Blueberry.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Duke (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—Legacy (unpatented).-   Market class: ‘ZF05-196’ is a nursery variety intended for the    landscape and home garden markets.

PLANT

-   Plant size:    -   -   a. Height of plant.—Average of 49 inches on 4 year old            plants.        -   b. Canopy diameter.—Average of 44 inches on 4 year old            plants.-   Growth habit: Upright.-   Plant vigor: Vigorous.-   Twigginess: Not twiggy.-   Suckering: Low.-   Evergreenness: Deciduous.-   Chilling requirement: Approximately 700-1000 hours.-   Cold hardiness: Approximately USDA zones 4-8.-   Productivity in Lowell, Oreg.:    -   -   a. 4 year old plants.—Produced an average of 6.85 lbs per            plant, compared to Liberty plants of the same age which            produced an average of 7.46 lbs per plant.        -   b. 5 year old plants.—Produced an average of 14 lbs per            plant, compared to Liberty plants of the same age, which            produced an average of 8.9 lbs per plant.-   Propagation: Easy to propagate from softwood cuttings.-   Disease and pest resistance/susceptibility:    -   -   a. Root rot (Phytophthora cinnamomi).—Does not appear to be            overly susceptible.        -   b. Stem blight (Botryosphaeria spp).—Undetermined.        -   c. Phomopsis twig blight (Phomopsis vaccinii).—Does not            appear to be overly susceptible.        -   d. Botryosphaeria stem canker (Botryosphaeria            corticis).—Undetermined.        -   e. Bacterial cane canker (Pseudomonas syringae).—Does not            appear to be overly susceptible.        -   f. Botrytis blight (Botrytis cinerea).—Does not appear to be            overly susceptible.        -   g. Leaf spot (Septoria spp.).—Does not appear to be overly            susceptible.        -   h. Leaf rust (Naohidemyces vaccinii).—Does not appear to be            overly susceptible.        -   i. Bud mites (Acalatus vaccinii).—Undetermined.-   Disease survival: Good.

WOOD

-   Texture:    -   -   a. Surface texture new wood.—Smooth.        -   b. Surface texture 1 year wood.—Smooth.        -   c. Surface texture 3 year wood.—Smooth turning rough.-   Color:    -   -   a. Color new wood.—Pantone color Green Banana 14-0434.        -   b. Color rough bark 1 year.—Pantone colors: Catchup 18-1449,            Hay 12-0418, and Green Banana 14-0434.        -   c. Color rough bark 3 year.—Pantone colors: Desert Dust            13-1018, Tobacco Brown 17-1327, and Gray Sand 13-1010.

LEAVES

-   Internode length: Average of 16.5 mm.-   Dimensions:    -   -   a. Leaf length.—Average 72.5 mm.        -   b. Leaf width.—Average 41.14 mm.-   Leaf shape: Elliptical with acute apex and rounded base.-   Leaf margin: Entire.-   Color:    -   -   a. Leaf color upper leaf surface.—Pantone color Chive            19-0323.        -   b. Leaf color lower leaf surface.—Pantone color Mistletoe            16-0220.-   Fall leaf color: Pantone Crimson 19-1762.-   Pubescence:    -   -   a. Pubescence upper leaf surface.—Absent.        -   b. Pubescence lower leaf surface.—Absent.        -   c. Pubescence leaf margins.—Absent.-   Petiole:    -   -   a. Petiole length.—Average of 4.78 mm.        -   b. Petiole color.—Pantone color Hay 12-0418 and Catchup            18-1449.        -   c. Petiole surface texture.—Smooth.-   Leafing vs flowering: In Lowell, Oreg. flower bud break occurs prior    to vegetative bud break. Flowers persist during initial vegetative    growth period.

FLOWERS

-   Flower arrangement: Flower clusters arranged alternately along    branch.-   Immature flower color: Pantone colors Mauveglow 16-1617 and Snow    White 11-0602.-   Fragrance: Faint, Sweet.-   Flower shape: Urceolate to cylindrical.-   Flower length: Average of 10.4 mm.-   Pedicel:    -   -   a. Pedicel length flower.—Average of 4.55 mm.        -   b. Pedicel color.—Pantone color Green Olive 17-0535; Pantone            color Wild Rose 16-1715.-   Peduncle:    -   -   a. Peduncle length flower.—Average of 15.76 mm.        -   b. Peduncle color.—Pantone colors Green Banana 14-0434 and            Red Earth 18-1444.-   Pollen:    -   -   a. Pollen staining.—Approximately 95% viable, staining with            2% acetocarmine dye.        -   b. Pollen abundance.—Medium.        -   c. Pollen color.—Pantone color Cornsilk 13-0932.-   Corolla:    -   -   a. Corolla length.—Average of 8.25 mm.        -   b. Corolla diameter.—Average of 7.4 mm.        -   c. Corolla aperture.—Average of 4.29 mm.        -   d. Corolla color.—Pantone color Snow White 11-0602.        -   e. Corolla texture.—Smooth.-   Style length: Average of 7.52 mm.-   Calyx:    -   -   a. Calyx diameter.—Average of 6.52 mm.        -   b. Calyx surface.—Smooth.        -   c. Calyx color.—Pantone colors Spinach Green 16-0439, lobes            Green Oasis 15-0538; Lilas 16-1708.-   Pistil color: Pantone color Green Olive 17-0535.-   Flowering cluster: Loose.-   Flowering period: Begins flowering in mid-April, reaching 50% bloom    in the first week of May and continues flowering through the end of    May.-   Number flowers: Average of 7 to 8.-   Stigma location: Average 0.1 mm above or even with the lip of    corolla.-   Anther:    -   -   a. Anther length.—Average of 4.11 mm.        -   b. Anther color.—Pantone color Autumn Leaf 17-1347.-   Self-compatibility: Low. Approximately 18% of self-pollinated    flowers reach maturity (this pollination trial was completed on    field plants and may not accurately represent the self-compatibility    of this variety. Trials were repeated in 2012).-   Updated self-compatibility: Low. Out of 75 flowers pollinated in the    greenhouse in 2012, only 25 (33%) formed fruit. Out of 46 flowers    pollinated in the field, only 7 (15%) formed fruit.-   Average inflorescence size: 30.66 mm.

BERRIES

-   Mean harvest date: August 4.-   Mean date last pick: August 25.-   Quantity berries per cluster: Average of 7 to 8 berries per cluster.-   Calyx:    -   -   a. Calyx aperture.—Average of 5.06 mm.        -   b. Calyx lobes.—5 moderately distinct lobes.        -   c. Calyx depth.—Average of 1.68 mm.-   Berry cluster: Loose.-   Berry pedicel:    -   -   a. Length.—Average of 10.19 mm.        -   b. Surface texture.—Smooth.-   Berry peduncle:    -   -   a. Length.—Average of 29.93 mm.        -   b. Surface texture.—Smooth.-   Berry detachment: Easy.-   Berry weight: Average of 2.4 g per berry, compared to Liberty which    has an average berry size of 2.2 g.-   Berry height: Average of 13.39 mm.-   Berry width: Average of 18.42 mm.-   Berry shape: Round to oblate.-   Berry skin color:    -   -   a. Immature berry color.—Pantone color Celery Green 13-0532.        -   b. Berry skin color on plant.—Pantone color Gray Dawn            14-4106.        -   c. Berry skin color after harvest.—Pantone color Gray Dawn            14-4106.        -   d. Berry skin color after polishing.—Pantone color India Ink            19-4019.-   Berry wax: Medium wax, moderately persistent.-   Berry flesh color: Pantone color Water Lily 11-0304.-   Pedicel scar: Small and dry.-   Berry firmness: Firm.-   Berry flavor: Sweet, fruity.-   Berry texture: Smooth and firm.

SEEDS

-   Seed color: Pantone color Tortoise Shell 19-1241.-   Seed length: Average of 1.64 mm.-   Seed width: Average of 1.09 mm.-   Seed weight: Average of 0.3 mg.-   Quantity seeds per berry: Average of 36 seeds per berry.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES FROM MALE PARENT ‘LEGACY’

TABLE 1 Characteristic(s) in Describe the Describe the which thecandidate expression of the expression of Name of variety differs fromcharacteristic for the characteristic paternal parent the paternalparent the paternal parent for ‘ZF05-196’ Legacy Average time of July 27July 16 50% ripe fruit in Lowell, OR Legacy Leaf width Medium Very broad

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of blueberryplant named ‘ZF05-196’, substantially as illustrated and describedherein.